Our first stop was the Dorothy Clive Garden, which is both intimate and informal and has a superb mature setting which can both relax and inspire. Creative planting is evident throughout.

The garden lies on a south facing slope covering twelve acres and comprises two main areas: the Quarry and the Hillside Gardens, both containing a variety of individual features.

The two acre woodland that makes up the Quarry Garden began life in its present form in 1940 when a disused quarry was planted and re-developed. It contains a huge collection of Rhododendrons and Azaleas and a number of tender shrubs which are sheltered beneath the oak canopy and protected by the steep quarry walls. Spreading Shuttlecock Ferns and Hostas line the approaches and large-leaved Rodgersia thrive on the banks close by.

Within the Quarry Garden there is a small Gravel Garden which is quite striking; strong architectural plants are combined with contrasting forms and foliage.

Grasses are widely used to offset the dramatic impact of Melianthus, Canna and Tetrapanax and in another area, purple-leaved Sedums have been inter-planted with blue Festucas and silver flowering Eryngiums.

Below the quarry lies the the Hillside Garden which was developed in 1958. There is also an Alpine Scree and pool and a selection of trees and shrubs.

At the time of our visit the main highlights were undoubtedly the many borders which provided a great range of variety and colour, with spring planting having given way to Lillies, Crocosmias, Hostas and purple-leaved Cimicifugas.

The gardens have something to offer throughout the year and we were greeted by a diverse collection of herbaceous perennials including the pale yellow flowered Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' and the vivid rich orange-red pokers of Kniphofia.

Japanese Anenomes, Heleniums and Echinacea edge the borders, amongst groupings of tender perennials.

Cannas and Dahlias were beginning to predominate, adding a touch of the exotic and ready to provide vivid colour over a long period. This planting is mixed with grasses, introducing yet another dimension and a softening influence to some of the hotter border colours.

The Alpine Scree sees alpines interspersed with dwarf conifers and mound-forming shrubs to provide some year-round interest.

The pool is dominated by groupings of pampas grass and graceful Dierama, commonly known as 'Angel's Fishing Rod' and the distinctive Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus), with its fluffy plumes resembling those of Astilbe.

After an exhaustive trip around the Dorothy Clive Garden we moved on to Bridgemere to finish off the day.

Bridgemere Nursery & Garden World was established fifty years ago by John Ravenscroft as a “one-man band” rose nursery and now, covering 50 acres, is one of the largest garden centres in the world growing nearly a million plants a year and with six acres of themed show gardens.